MAPLE VALLEY SWIM TEAM

Child Abuse Prevention – CODE OF CONDUCT: 

It is important to understand what is considered as Appropriate Behavior versus inappropriate and Prohibited Behavior while working or volunteering at Maple Valley Swim Club. Sometimes the best intentions can be misunderstood and/or interpreted. In order to protect staff, volunteers and program participants, Maple Valley Swim Club has instituted this Code of Conduct Policy when working with children.

The following actions are considered to be Appropriate: 

• Praise, encouragement, acknowledgement 

• Rewards available to all who achieve 

• Asking permission to touch for necessary purposes 

• Pats on back or shoulder

• Side hugs 

• Handshakes and high fives 

• Warmth and kindness 

• Public social media alerts to groups of kids and parents 

• Staff will portray a positive role model for youth by maintaining an attitude of respect, patience, courtesy, tact and maturity. 

The following actions are always prohibited: 

• Being alone with a single child where they cannot be observed by others.

• Any physical contact with children unless in an emergency, or when a swim lesson requires you to do so. If this is necessary, then explain to the child what you intend to do before initiating the contact. If a child initiated physical contact such as approaching you for a hug, deflect them if possible and offer a handshake or side hug instead.

• Transporting children in staff or volunteer personal vehicles. 

• Being alone with children they meet at the swim club outside of swim club activities. 

• This includes babysitting, sleepovers, or inviting children to your home. Any exceptions require written explanation before the fact and are subject to supervisor approval. 

• Smoking or use of tobacco in the presence of children or parents during working hours is prohibited. 

• Using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs during working hours is prohibited. 

• Not respecting children’s rights to not be touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable and their right to say no.

Policy updated – April 2023 

If you witness, suspect or something a child tells you leads you to suspect that they are being abused; you are obliged to report it to your supervisor and proper legal authorities including Child Services, Sherriff’s Department, or Local Police Department. I understand that any violation of this Code of Conduct may result in termination.

The purpose of the Suburban Swim League Code of Conduct is to ensure all officials, coaches, swim team representatives, swimmers and spectators treat each other with respect, courtesy and professionalism. It is the goal that the adults set the standards for our swimmers that compete and that these standards be incorporated into the daily management of all teams within the league. Any individuals with a complaint should be directed to the SSL representative or their designee who will take the complaint to the meet referee or the SSL Protest Committee. Individuals should not approach any situation without the knowledge of the SSL representative.

1. All teams participating in the Suburban Swim League will abide by this code of conduct.

2. Team members, parents, coaches, officials, and SSL representatives should be respectful of one another. Anyone acting disrespectfully will be asked to immediately change or stop their behavior. If the individual does not comply, the individual will be asked to leave the facility, out of sight and sound, for the remainder of the meet. A Code of Conduct Resolution form will be filed with the SSL President within 24 hours of the removal.

3. Team members, parents, coaches, officials, and SSL representatives are expected to act in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Un-sportsmanlike behavior includes but is not limited to:

- Making insulting or derogatory remarks, gestures or acts, including taunting.

- Trying to influence or showing disgust with the officials' decisions.

- Using obscene language.

- Vandalizing property.

- Any act of fraud, deception or dishonesty in connection with the any SSL activity.

- Physical abuse of any kind.

4. If a team member, parent, coach, official or SSL representative has repeated offenses, the SSL Protest Committee will be consulted for further actions that can include removal from further participation in the league.

I, (Parent/ Guardian name reflecting to name on registration and electronic signature) , the Suburban Swim League Representative for Maple Valley Swim Club, a member pool of the Suburban Swim League, agree to the above Code of Conduct. I understand it is my role to disseminate this information to my team. I understand my role in the conflict resolution as it pertains to the above listed cod of conduct.